Donate an Artifact
Buckle up for take-off into history
We are now five years old, and have received many gifted items. We now need time and resources to catalogue and prepare these for future displays. In the interim, we are not accepting further donations of property at this time.
However, if you do have an item of historical significance to Saskatchewan Aviation History and may be considering donating, Please do not bring to the museum. We ask you to contact Collections (Ron Ford) directly using the Email Enquiry Form on this page. We will respond to discuss.
Interested in volunteering? After the New Year, if you are willing to learn how to look after artifacts and prepare them for display, we can use your help. Standby for further information to follow later.
Have an historical aviation artifact or collection to donate? We can help tell your story!
Our Museum’s collection is made up largely of artifacts donated by the public.
We appreciate your desire to become involved in preserving aviation history. Because of space and care requirements, we must consider every donation offer very carefully.
To determine whether the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum is the best fit for your object, please provide as much information as possible in the form to help the Collections staff make a well-informed decision.
Please be prepared to forward photos of the objects to the museum and provide information about its history to Saskatchewan Aviation, its significance and any past owners. Please do not bring objects to the museum.
While we will no longer accept “drop-off” donations, this does not mean the SAM will not accept your artifact donations!
Following your submission of the format below, the Collections staff will carefully consider your offer and compare it to our existing collection. Due to the deliberate nature of the consideration process, it may take several weeks to reach a decision.
Should we determine that SAM is not an appropriate repository for your item, we will do our best to help you find the right institution to ensure the long-term care and appreciation of your donation.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I drop off my objects off at the museum?
Unfortunately “No”. We cannot accept any objects that are dropped off at the museum. All potential acquisitions go through a verification process to see if it fits with our collection. Temporarily storing objects creates issues as we have limited space and there are issues regarding ownership and insurance coverage. Your submitting photographs of the objects usually provide enough information so that we don’t need to store them here while awaiting a decision. Please complete the Artifact Donation Application and provide photographs of your considered donation.
Does the museum issue tax receipts for objects?
The Saskatchewan Aviation Heritage Association is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency and is authorized to issues receipts for income tax purposes. Artifacts worth $1,000 or more are required to be appraised by a qualified appraiser. High-value artifacts may require multiple appraisals. The cost of appraisals is the responsibility of the donor.
Will the museum display the object if I donate it?
We are not able to guarantee if or when we will exhibit artifacts. Part of the museum’s role is preserving artifacts for future generations.
Will donated materials be returned upon request?
The Museum can’t return accessioned materials to the donor. When the deed of gift is signed, ownership of the materials is legally transferred to the Museum.
Will the museum put a plaque on the object that has my relative’s name on it?
We do not permanently affix signs or plaques to objects because it is distracting to visitors who are viewing them on exhibit. The museum staff will record your relative’s connection to the artifact in its file so that the information is retained. If the artifact goes on exhibit, your relative’s name may be included in an artifact label if that story is relevant to the exhibit.